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Cash Aid

Cash Aid and Services for:

Families and Caretakers with Children

California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) is a cash aid program for low income families to meet their basic needs. It also provides education, employment, and training programs to help families get jobs and move towards self-sufficiency. Child care, transportation, work expenses and counseling are available for families in work activities. There is a five year time limit for adults but the children can remain on aid if otherwise eligible under the Safety Net program. There are special services for pregnant and parenting teens through the CalLearn program. You can also find out more information from your local county welfare department .

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit available to qualifying low-income individuals and families. Individuals who qualify for the EITC and file a federal tax return can receive a refund of some or all of their federal income tax. For more information, contact the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) or the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in your county.

Adults

The General Assistance and/or General Relief (GA/GR) Program provides relief and support to adults without resources who are not supported by their own means, other public funds, or assistance programs. Benefits, payment levels, and eligibility requirements of these county programs will vary among each of California's 58 counties. For further information or to apply for the GA/GR Program, contact the Department of Social or Human Services in your county of residence.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit available to qualifying low-income individuals and families. Individuals who qualify for the EITC and file a federal tax return can receive a refund of some or all of their federal income tax. For more information, contact the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) or the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in your county.

Seniors

Supplemental Security Income / State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) The Social Security Administration's SSI program provides income support to individuals who are aged 65 or older, blind or disabled who have little or no income and it provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. The State Supplemental Payment (SSP) program supplements SSI benefits. More information about SSI can be found at Social Security's online publications .

In-Home Supportive Services If you are over 65 years of age, disabled, or blind, IHSS will help pay for services provided to you so that you can remain safely in your own home. For more information and to apply for these services, contact your local county welfare office .

Disabled Children and Adults

Supplemental Security Income / State Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) The Social Security Administration's SSI program provides income support to individuals who are aged 65 or older, blind or disabled. The State Supplemental Payment (SSP) program supplements SSI benefits. More information about SSI can be found at Social Security's online publications . If you meet SSAs non-medical criteria, your application for SSDI benefits will be sent to the Disability Determination Service Division (DDSD) in the California Department of Social Services to be evaluated.

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI) , you must first have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. Then you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability. In general, monthly cash benefits are paid to people who are unable to work for a year or more because of a disability. For more information and how to apply can be found at Social Security's website . If you meet SSA's non-medical criteria, your application for SSDI benefits will be sent to the Disability Determination Service Division (DDSD) in the California Department of Social Services to be evaluated.

The Social Security Administration's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children under age 18 program provides income to disabled children under age 18 who meet SSA's legal definition of disability: a child who has a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits his or her activities; and the condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least one year or result in death. For more information about eligibility, see the Social Security Administration's online information . If you meet SSA's non-medical criteria, your application for SSI benefits will be sent to the Disability Determination Service Division (DDSD) in the California Department of Social Services to be evaluated.

The Assistance Dog Special Allowance Program (ADSA) provides $50 per month to eligible persons who use a guide, signal, or service dog to help them with needs related to their physical disabilities. The allowance is to help pay the costs of food, grooming, and health care for the dogs.